Introduction to ESSEM COST Action ES1404

This COST Action on SNOW aims at building a better connection between snow
measurements and models, between snow observers, researchers and
forecasters, for the benefit of various stakeholders and the entire society.

Aim of the Action

To enhance the capability of the research community and operational services to
provide and exploit quality-assured and comparable regional and global
observation-based data on the variability of the state and extent of snow.

Overall Objectives & Benefits

Establish a European-wide science network on snow measurements for their
optimum use and applications benefitting on interactions across disciplines and
expertise.

Assess and harmonise practices, standards and retrieval algorithms applied to
ground, air- and space-borne snow measurements => Foster their acceptance by
key snow network operators at the international level.

Develop a rationale and long term strategy for snow measurements, their
dissemination and archiving.

Advance snow data assimilation in European NWP and hydrological models and
show its benefit for relevant applications.

Establish a validation strategy for climate, NWP and hydrological models against
snow observations and foster its implementation within the European modelling
communities.

Training of a new generation of scientists on snow science and measuring
techniques with a broader and more holistic perspective linked with the various
applications.